Texas is the second largest state in the United States in terms of area mass and population. Geographically, Texas is located in the South – Central region of the United States.
Texas shares borders with the U.S. states of Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the southwest, while the Gulf of Mexico is to the southeast.
Interestingly, Texas happens to be the second-largest U.S. state, after Alaska, with an area of 268,820 square miles (696,200 km2).
Texas ranks only 27th worldwide amongst country subdivisions by size. Texas is 10 percent larger than France and almost twice as large as Germany or Japan. If it were an independent country, Texas would be the 40th largest behind Chile and Zambia.
Is It Possible to Start a Business in Texas Without Money?
Yes, it is possible to start a business in Texas without your own money. As a matter of fact, there are several business ideas you can launch even if you don’t have a dime of your own. The most important thing is that you must have a workable business idea that is scalable and can easily attract financial support or investment from stakeholders.
It is important to note that even though you may be able to start a business in Texas without your own money, in most cases, you will be required to raise at least the money needed to register the business and also obtain the required license, permits and insurance policy covers or else you may be operating the business illegally in Texas.
Aside from that, you may want to look at the requirements needed to start a business in Texas and the financial implications to be sure you won’t be breaking the rules of the state when you start your business.
Steps to Starting a Business in Texas
The fact that Texas supports the growth of small business with their conducive business environment, low business licensing fees, its lack of red tape, and an abundance of relatively cheap real estate should convince you to start your business there. If you are interested in starting a business in Texas, then you might find this information useful;
Step 1: Choose a Business Structure
The first step to take if you want to start a business in Texas is to choose a business structure. It is important that you choose the type of legal, for-profit business entity you want your business to be, which depends on a few factors. This includes, what kind of business you’re starting, whether you’ll have employees and your comfort with liability. Some structures are free to register, others have a low fee and are subject to the state franchise tax.
The options available to you in Texas are:
Sole Proprietorship:
Sole proprietorship is the most common and simplest form of business structure, a sole proprietorship is perfect for one person who owns all the business assets.
This person is 100% liable for the business. Their sole proprietorship assumes their name, unless they want to create a “DBA certificate” to give it another name, to be filed in all counties where business is conducted. These structures are not subject to the state franchise tax.
General Partnership:
General partnership is another option that is almost same with the sole proprietorship, but it’s for two or more individuals. It’s a separate business entity from those people, but creditors can still hit up the partners’ personal assets to satisfy debts and liabilities. They are not subject to state franchise tax.
Limited Liability Company:
An LLC is created by filing a certificate of formation with the Texas secretary of state. It’s an unincorporated business entity with more flexibility, providing owners with limited liability and pass-through tax advantages. LLCs are subject to state franchise tax, and the certification of formation for an LLC is $300.
This should not be confused with a limited liability partnership, which is a general partnership registered with the secretary of state and, in Texas, costs $200 for the certificate of formation per general partner.
For-Profit Corporation:
Corporations are people with limited liability, centralized management, perpetual duration, and ease of ownership transferability.
Owners of corporations are shareholders, and managers of the business are directors. For-profit corporations must register with the Texas secretary of state, must pay a filing fee for the certificate of formation of $300, and are subject to a state franchise tax.
Please note that if your business was formed in a state or entity other than Texas but you want to “transact business” in the state, you need to file an application for registration with the Texas secretary of state as a foreign entity.
Step 2: You Should Choose a Business Name
The next step that is expected of you after you must have chosen a business structure to build your business is to choose a business name for the business. Please note that when it comes to choosing a name for a business, it is expected that you should be creative because whatever name you choose for your business will go a long way to create a perception of what the business represents.
Some tips you should follow is to ensure that you;
- Carry out a Google Search
- Do a Trademark Search
- Check Texas’s Business Name Database
Step 3: Apply for an Employee Identification Number
The step you are expected to take is to apply for an Employee Identification Number. An EIN, or business tax identification number, is the business equivalent of a social security number and it is used to track your business dealings.
It’s useful for establishing business credit, opening business checking accounts, and, if you have employees, filing their tax withholdings. An Employee Identification Number (EIN) is free to obtain; you can also contract a third-party like LegalZoom to ensure you are 100 percent compliant with the law, including getting your EIN for you.
Step 4: Apply and Obtain Business Licenses and Permits
The next step to take is to apply and obtain business licenses and permits. Interestingly, Texas doesn’t require companies to buy a “general business” license. But depending on the type of business you open, you might need a specific license or permit.
Check out the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to see if your specific profession qualifies. If you’re unsure of what you need, contact your local county or city government to double check any additional requirements. Please note that a variety of small fees are associated with obtaining various business filings and trademarks, such as a change of registered agent or a limited partnership periodic report.
Step 5: Check on Your Business Employer Requirements
The next step that you are expected to take is to make sure that you check on your business employer requirements. This is specific to the type of business you are starting in Texas, including whether you have employees.
But there are various labor, safety, and tax obligations to satisfy too, such as federal and state mandates like the Americans with Disabilities Act, Equal Employment, and safety, wage, and labor requirements. You might want to hire a tax or business attorney to make sure you’re following the law here.
Step 6: Sign Up for Business Banking
The last step that you are expected to take if you have fulfilled the above stated steps is to sign up for business banking. Please note that as a new business owner, it’s a very good idea to separate your personal and business banking accounts.
You can visit your bank to get further clarifications on how to go about signing up for business banking if you are new to it.
Please note that applying and obtaining a business credit card is also a great way to start building business credit and provide a safety net if you need a bit of extra capital. If you qualify, a 0 percent introductory rate can act as an interest-free loan.
Business ideas You Can Start in Texas Without Your Own Money
Forex Trading
Forex trading is one of the businesses you can start without your own money in Texas. This is so because you can start trading forex for your family members or friends since you don’t have startup capital. You can also practice with a free demo so you don’t run at a loss.
If you have good analytic skills and you have sound knowledge of cash flow and the exchange market, you can do well as a forex trader. You can Google forex trading platforms and tutorials to learn how to become a professional forex trader.
Dog Training (Grooming) Business
Another business you can start in Texas without your own money is a dog training business. There are various dog services businesses in the world today among which is the dog training business. This is one industry that has continued to yield profits because of the lucrative nature of the business. Hence, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that the dog training business is a money spinner.
Face Painting Business
The face painting business is yet another business you can start in Texas without your own money. This type of business is not capital intensive and you can start the business from your client’s upfront money. If you are hardworking and you have the right network in place, you can generate your start-up capital from one business deal.
Usually, party or carnival face painters charge based on their discretion but on average, they charge about $100 per hour. One good thing about this type of business is that you can combine it with other businesses without overworking yourself.
Grocery Home Delivery Business
If you don’t have money and you are looking for a business to start in Texas, one of the businesses you can start is to help grocery stores deliver groceries to their clients. A grocery home delivery business is a business that involves helping your clients shop groceries and get them delivered to their homes or offices and you will get paid for such services.
With this type of business, you can choose to own a grocery store if you have the financial capacity to or you can choose to operate without a grocery store. The bottom line is that you should know how to source groceries and how to get them delivered to your customers.
Buying and Sell On eBay
If you are looking to start a business in Texas without your own money, then you should consider buying and selling different goods on eBay. You can start with selling stuff you no longer need. It could be electronic gadgets, bicycles, mobile devices, computers, or virtually anything as long as it is in good working shape.
eBay is an internet platform where you can sell your stuff. All you need to do is to sign up for their services, play by their rules in listing/selling your products, and be extra careful when dealing with your clients.
Sale of Artworks
The fact that you don’t have money does not mean you cannot go into the sale of artwork. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to be the one making the artwork. All you have to do is to look for someone (an artist) who has artworks for sale and partner with him on a commission or percentage arrangement.
The truth is that if you are active online and you have robust social media friends, all you have to do is post the artwork. You will be so surprised at how viral it can go and the number of sales you can make.
Nanny Agency Business
The nanny agency business is yet another thriving and profitable business that someone in Texas can start without money. Starting a nanny agency business is one sure way an aspiring entrepreneur can earn cool cash in Texas. The truth is that the nanny agency services business is one of the businesses that an entrepreneur can successfully start small and perhaps with a functional home office without breaking the bank for cash.
All you need to do is to ensure you supply reliable and hardworking nannies when you get requests from clients. You can actually run this type of business with just phone calls and the internet.
Handyman Services
A handyman business is yet another business that someone without startup capital can successfully start in Texas. A handyman business is one that provides a wide range of services needed for the maintenance of buildings and properties.
The services provided by a handyman include plumbing, electrical works, carpentry, painting, heating, and cooling services, and other building and property maintenance and repair works.
Interior Decoration
Another business that you can start in Texas without money of your own is the interior decoration business. When we talk about interior design or interior decoration, we are talking about the art or process of designing the interior and in some cases the exterior of a facility; it could be a room or building. An interior designer is a person whose job is to coordinate, manage and execute such projects.
Event Planning
Event planning is another cool way of making money without committing any cash. Event planning is all about helping corporate organizations, governments, groups, and individuals plan and execute their events from start to finish. An event planner ensures that they work with the stipulated budget of the organization or individual and ensure that they deliver a successful event.
Yard Sales (Consignment Store)
A yard sale is yet another business opportunity open to someone without startup capital. A consignment shop is a shop where fairly used goods are sold at giveaway prices.
You can start this business without money because you would only be required to collect goods from people who are cleaning and clearing their wardrobes, houses, offices, or garages at no cost at all and you can use your yard or garage as your shop. In other words, you would be automatically helping them get rid of the items they do not want and in turn make some profit.
Homemade Chocolate Business
Making and retailing homemade chocolate is yet another business you can start in Texas without your own money. Homemade chocolates are chocolates that are made at home, not in a factory. Those who retail homemade chocolates ensure that they target locations where they can easily attract children because children are the major consumers of chocolates and candies.
Vehicle Licensing Brokerage Services
Someone without money in Texas who is interested in starting a business can venture into vehicle licensing brokerage services. Vehicle licenses and other relevant vehicle documents usually expire annually, hence there is room for renewal at least once a year; it is a crime to drive a vehicle whose documents have expired.
Starting vehicle licensing brokerage services involves helping individuals and corporate organizations do all the work as it related to vehicle license renewal et al. You can start this type of business without any formal skill and without money.
Car Advertising Business
Another business you can start in Texas without your own money is a car advertising business. If you have a car and you love driving around town, you can turn this hobby of yours into a money-making venture. There are loads of advertising agencies looking for cars that can serve as their moving billboards and they are willing to pay pretty well for that.
Dry Cleaning Services (Laundry Business)
A dry cleaning service is yet another business you can start in Texas without your own money. If you know how to wash and iron clothes, you have no business being idle. You can successfully start a dry-cleaning business from the comfort of your home and make cool cash. You can start by washing and ironing clothes for your family members and friends.
Landscaping and Lawn Care Business
The landscaping and lawn care business is another business someone in Texas can start without money; it is an avenue to generate income especially if you already have a lawn mower, other tools, and landscaping skills. Any entrepreneur who intends to start a landscaping and lawn care business and make huge profits from it must be very creative and must be ready to go the extra mile to convince clients that he or she can deliver an excellent job.
Real Estate Agency Business
Another business that someone can start in Texas without money of their own is a real estate broker agency business. The real estate industry involves the buying, selling, or renting of lands, buildings or housing facility et al. Real estate agency or a real estate agent (broker) is a person who acts as a middleman between the sellers and buyers of real estate. They are involved in searching for sellers who sell properties and buyers who buy properties.
Educational Consultancy Business
Educational consultancy services are yet another business you can start without money and from your home in Texas. Being an educational consultant means that you will help your clients handle all their educational concerns, and help them gain admission to colleges or universities of their choice. You can also help your clients (international students) obtain work permits in their new country of residence/studies.
Taxi/Cab Services
Tax business is yet another business someone without money can successfully start in Texas as long as you know how to drive, you have a valid driver’s license and you know the road network in your city. When it comes to starting a transportation-related business, one of the easy-to-start businesses that readily comes to mind is taxi services.
Even if you don’t have a car of your own, you can source for someone who has a car and wants to run a taxi service taxi or you can register with Uber taxi and other similar services.
Used Cars Dealership
Another business that someone in Texas can start without their own money is the used car dealership business. The used car dealership business is all about selling used cars to willing buyers.
Aside from the fact that the owners of used car dealership shops are known for selling used cars, they also source for sellers who want to sell their cars. They buy used cars at a favorable price and resell them at a good price that guarantees profits for them.
Fumigation Services Business
The fumigation services business is yet another business that someone without money can start in Texas. Fumigations are done to eliminate unwanted insects, weeds et al. It is a highly thriving and profitable business venture that is easy to set up and manage.
If you looking towards starting a fumigation services business, then you need to apply to the appropriate authority in your country to secure the required chemical handling permits and license. One good thing about this type of business is that you can get the initial deposit from your customers before going to fumigate their house or compound.
Staffing Agency
Another business you can start in Texas without your own money is a staffing agency. Staffing agencies are responsible for helping organizations recruit staff to fill vacant positions in their organization and also help those in between jobs to secure employment.
Some staffing agencies offer services beyond just recruiting employees, they also help in training and preparing the employees to fit into the role that they are being recruited for. Usually, such staffing agencies charge more than those who just recruit employees for their clients.
Party Planning Business
A party planning business is yet another business someone can start in Texas without their own money. Party planning just like event planning is all about helping corporate organizations, governments, groups, and individuals plan their parties whether formal or informal from start to finish.
A party planner ensures that they work with the stipulated budget of the organization or individual they are to work for and ensure that they deliver a successful party.
Ice Cream Truck Business
The ice cream trucking business is yet another business someone in Texas can start without their own money. Ice creams have been around for many years and can be found in various flavors in all countries of the world.
Anyone who wants to establish an ice cream trucking business in any part of the world, especially in tropical regions or countries on the equator, is sure going to get good returns on their investment as long as they are doing the right thing when it comes to setting up and effectively running the business.
Start a Wedding Planning Company
Wedding planners organize and design marriage ceremonies and receptions. Wedding planning is a business that anyone with the necessary soft skills (i.e. organizing skills) can venture into. Wedding planning requires that you take off the burden of planning a wedding from the shoulders of your clients. The truth is that you would need to be extremely detailed. If you do not possess this skill now, you may consider building it up.
Start Private Tutorial Business
Some parents who have wards in schools are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that their wards are sound academically hence the need for extra coaching – private tutorial services. If you are an academician or someone who is interested in the teaching industry and you don’t have the capacity to start a standard school, then you should look towards starting your own private tutorial business.
Log Supply Business
Logs are used by carpenters, sculptors, builders, paper manufacturers, and a host of others. This goes to show that there is a large industry for logs. So, if you are looking to start a business in Texas without your own money, then you should consider starting a log supply business.
This type of business is ideal where there are no strict laws governing the falling of logs in forests. In some countries, it is pretty difficult to secure a permit to go into log supplying.
Supply of Sand
Sands are categorized into various categories and these categories serve as raw materials in the construction industry. If you are interested in starting a business in Texas without your own money, then you should consider going into the supply of sand.
This business is appropriate if you live around seashores where you can easily get sea sand in commercial quantities without breaking any law.
Start a Driving School
Starting a conventional driving school is yet another business you can start without your own money. Yearly, teens who have attained the driving age requirement and even adults alike who don’t know how to drive approach driving schools to learn how to drive.
It is important to state that before starting a driving school, you will be required to obtain the required license, permits, and approval from the appropriate authority in your country. Aside from the little stress involved in securing approval, permit, and license for a driving school, it could be fun teaching people how to drive especially if driving is one of your hobbies.
Food Hub
Another business someone can start in Texas without their money is a food hub business. A food hub business is defined by the USDA as “a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and/or marketing of locally/regionally produced food products.
Food hubs also fill gaps in food systems infrastructures, such as transportation, product storage, and product processing. Food hubs are involved in compiling products from different suppliers/farms to distribute through a single channel. They find buyers, sell and advertise farm produce, and promote farms’ brand identities.
Where Can You Get Startup Capital from in Texas?
Here are the options you have if you are looking for startup capital to start or grow your business in Texas.
Notable Seed Accelerators in Texas
A “seed accelerator” is a cohort-based program that typically accepts teams (not solo-founders) with a product (functional prototype or live product) and some form of traction (for example, user, revenue, or team growth). If accepted to a seed accelerator, a company typically receives a small investment ($15,000-$150,000) in exchange for equity (6-10%).
The goal of a seed accelerator is to help companies accelerate their product or user growth during the program (typically 3-6 months) in order to raise a proper Angel or Seed Round of funding at the “Demo Day” that concludes the program. These accelerators include;
- Capital Factory Accelerator
- enventure
- JLABS
- MassChallenge
- NextHIT Accelerator Program
- OwlSpark
- RED Labs
- RedHouse Associates
- Station Houston
- TMCx Accelerator
- Vesalius Accelerator
Notable Angel Investors in Texas
Angel investors are people that typically invest their personal capital in early-stage startups or entrepreneurs and generally provide only a small one-time investment to help the business grow. They generally provide more favorable terms compared to other types of investors, since they usually invest in the earliest stages of a business, and are more focused on helping startups build a product instead of generating a profit.
Angel investors sometimes go by other names, including “informal investors”, “angel funders”, “private investors”, “seed investors”, and “business angels”. Many angel investors are also professional investors and run more advanced venture funds. They include;
- Amitav Misra
- Aziz Gilani
- Bedros Bedrosian
- Blair Garrou
- Brad Wilson
- Carlos Hamilton
- Christopher A Howard
- Damon Spiegel
- David Baumgartner
- David Steakley
- Jai Mehta
- Jason Hill
- Jason Hodges
- John Filla
- John Leggett
- Jonas V Butkus
- Josh Adler
- Karun Sreerama
- Keith Kreuer
- Kirk Coburn
- Mike Bridges
- Purav Patel
- Rakesh Agrawal
- Richard Yoo
- Robert Anderson
- Roy Touchy
- Sudz Khawaja
- Traveon Rogers
- Vivek Dixit
- Warren Pinkerton
Notable Angel Investor Groups and Events in Texas
Angel investor groups are networks, or syndicates, of angel investors who pool their resources together to invest more money than would typically be issued with private angel investment. Most angel networks focus their efforts on sectors or verticals in which members have experience or knowledge, although they are usually open to investments in other areas.
In general, investors in groups contribute funds to the group, and a professional syndicate management team chooses the investments. The resources below are both formal angel investor groups, and also events and networks that informally gather many angel investors.
- Access Silicon Valley (Houston)
- Angel Investment Network
- GOOSE Society of Texas
- HBS Houston Alumni Angels
- Houston Angel Network
- Pipeline Angels
- Rice Angel Network
- Texas Investment Network
- TiE Houston
Why You Should Start a Business in Texas?
It only but normal for entrepreneurs who intend starting a business to look for locations that can support the growth of their business hence the need to conduct thorough and other researches. There are loads of reasons why you should consider starting your business in Texas.
In case you are wondering why, then going through the increasing number of small and medium scale businesses in Texas and also the number of Fortune 500 companies that are domiciled in Texas should give you the assurance that Texas is indeed a business – friendly state.
Texas is the Number One Business Friendly State in the United States
Research conducted by Site Selection Magazine in 2010 ranked Texas as the most business-friendly state in the whole of the United States of America. One of the main reasons for achieving this feat is of course the state’s three-billion-dollar Texas Enterprise Fund. Little wonder Texas has the joint-highest number of Fortune 500 company headquarters in the United States, along with California.
Robust Economy of Scale
Another very important reason why you must choose Texas as a place to start your business is because Texas’s affluence inspires a strong commercial sector consisting of retail, wholesale, banking and insurance, and construction industries. The Dallas–Fort Worth area is home to the second largest shopping mall in the United States and can boast of having the highest number of shopping malls per capita of any American metropolitan area.
Shares Border with Mexico
The fact that Texas shares both land and sea border with Mexico is no doubt another reason why you should choose to start a business in Texas. As a matter of fact, Mexico happens to be Texas largest trading partner. In case you don’t know, Mexico imports a third of all Texas exports because of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA has encouraged the formation of the controversial maquiladoras on the Texas–Mexico border.
Top Rated Economy and Infrastructure
If you are looking for a reason to start your business in Texas, then you need not look further because Texas can boast of having a top – rated economy and infrastructure.
A recent annual Top States for Business ranking released by CNBC shows that Texas is the number one destination for starting business especially as it relates to economy and infrastructure. The truth is that with pretty good economy and top – class infrastructure, it is easier for a business to thrive in such environment.
Home to Top Companies
Another good reason why you should choose Texas as a destination to start your business is because Texas is home to top companies. It might interest you to know that Texas is home to world – class companies like Toyota, Boeing, Charles Schwab, Merck, Kubota and loads of others.
The fact that Texas for can boast of having pro-business tax climate, world-class infrastructure, skilled workforce and central North American location is just some of the reasons why world – class companies will continue to choose to make Texas their home.
No Corporate or Individual Income Tax
The fact that there is no corporate or individual tax in Texas is another good reason why an entrepreneur or investor who is looking to start a business in the United States of America should consider Texas. Come to think of it, with no corporate income or individual income taxes and no state property tax in the Lone Star State, Texas, business owners in Texas enjoy the benefits of saving more.
Healthy Environment for Business Growth
One of the important factors that investors look out for before investing in any city or state is to know whether the location is healthy for their business growth. The fact that Texas can boast of having healthy environment for business growth makes it a top destination to starting a business.
Statistics show that small business startups experience fast growth in Texas when compared to other states in the United States of America.
Statistics shows that Texas’ small business owners, especially those in the Houston, Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth areas, reported healthy growth in terms of population and business startups, and the state’s GDP grew by 5.2 percent from 2013 to 2014 alone, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Availability of Workforce
Another reason why you should consider starting a business in Texas is because Texas can boast of having workforce. Although you might not have access to pools of high – skilled workforce in Texas like you would do in New York and California, but when it comes to unskilled workforce, Texas ranks among the top destinations.
So, if your business needs more of unskilled workforce than skilled workforce, then you should head straight to Texas to start the business.
Simplified State Regulations
The bottleneck and bureaucracy involved in starting and running a business in some states or cities are some of the factors discouraging businesses from setting up in some cities. As a matter of fact, one of the chief reasons why you should choose to start your business in Texas is because of the state’s simplified state regulations.
It is known fact that Texas’ regulatory environment is highly conducive to start and grow a business. The truth is that if you interview 10 entrepreneurs on why they choose to start their business in Texas, 9 of them will rate the state simplified state regulations as their top 3 reasons for choosing Texas.
Growing Metropolitan Areas
Lastly, another important reason why you should choose to start your business in Texas is because Texas can boast of having fast growing metropolitan areas. The major metropolitan areas in Texas — Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and San Antonio — are experiencing strong growth, which leads to more economic activity.
It is only but natural for businesses to experience high demand of their goods or services when there are increased number of residents in the cities where their business is domiciled.
According to the state’s Data Center between 2010 and 2014, Austin’s population grew by an estimated 86,719. Dallas added 57,527 people over the same time period, while Fort Worth expanded by 57,176 people. San Antonio added 92,355 residents, bringing its total population to more than 1.4 million people.
Challenges of Starting a Business in Texas
In as much as there are loads of benefits when starting your business in Texas, there are a few challenges you will have to surmount for you to be successful in Texas and here are some of the challenges;
Lack of Access to Business Capital
If you don’t have your startup capital saved up somewhere and you are looking towards starting a business in Texas, you would definitely need to dig deep because you will not find easy access to business capital in Texas. The policy of the state of Texas does not support easy issuance of loans to startups or even small business owners.
Declining Skilled Labor Force
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in spite of the strong population growth which added 1.8 million people from 2010 to 2014, the Texas labor force shed more than 175,000 people from January to September 2015. Amongst this loss of workforce are skilled workers.
In essence, if you are looking to start a business in Texas that would require that you hire skilled workforce, then you may have a bit of problem finding them. If you have the money and facility to attract skilled labor force from within and outside the state, then you don’t have a problem starting your business in Texas.
Resources for Small Businesses in Texas
Another additional benefit why an entrepreneur should choose to start their business in Texas is that there are structures and establishments in place to help small businesses grow. Some of these organizations serve as incubators for startup businesses.
Here are some of the organizations you should visit if you need to start a business in Texas and most especially if you need business support;
Texas Small Business Development Centers
Texas is home to dozens of small business development centers. Each is dedicated to supporting the development and retention of small business, and helps entrepreneurs with tasks like crafting business plans and navigating the state’s tax code.
Texas Economic Development Corporation
Established by the state government, the Texas Economic Development Corporation is intended to promote economic development throughout the entire Lone Star State. The organization offers resources and information for small business owners looking to launch a startup or expand an existing business.
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves entrepreneurs in the Dallas area, providing a location where they can receive training, education, mentorship, promotion and access to capital in order to encourage and equip the entrepreneurial community to start, build and grow their businesses.